Prelude
London Philharmonic Orchestra [Orchestra] Lyrics

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Ave maria
Gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Ave ave dominus
Dominus tecum

Benedictus tu in mulieribus

Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tui, iesus

Ave maria
Mater dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Ora ora pro nobis
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc, et in hora mortis
In hora mortis nostrae
In hora mortis mortis nostrae
In hora mortis nostrae

Ave maria
Ave maria

Maria gratia plena
Maria gratia plena
Ave ave dominus
Dominus tecum

Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tui, iesus

Ave maria
Ave maria

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Ave Maria" are a beautiful Roman Catholic prayer to Mary. The first part of the lyrics praise Mary, addressing her as "Ave Maria" and "Maria gratia plena," which means "Hail Mary, full of grace." The lyrics continue to address Mary as the mother of God - "Mater Dei." The prayer asks for Mary's intercession with God for forgiveness and salvation. The final verse of the prayer asks for Mary's help and protection during the time of death.

The song starts with a peaceful rendition of the prayer, sung by the choir, accompanied by the orchestra's gentle swells of strings and harp. As the song progresses, it builds in intensity, with a powerful chorus joining in, praising Mary, and proclaiming the blessings of her son, Jesus Christ. The music reaches a pinnacle in the final verse, as the prayer asks for Mary's protection during the time of death. This dramatic, almost theatrical performance of "Ave Maria" by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir is sure to stir the soul of all who listen.

Line by Line Meaning

Ave maria
Hail Mary

Gratia plena
Full of grace

Maria gratia plena
Mary full of grace

Ave ave dominus
Hail Lord

Dominus tecum
The Lord is with you

Benedictus tu in mulieribus
Blessed are you among women

Et benedictus
And blessed

Et benedictus fructus ventris
And blessed is the fruit of your womb

Ventris tui, iesus
Jesus

Mater dei
Mother of God

Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Pray for us sinners

Nunc, et in hora mortis
Now, and at the hour of our death

In hora mortis nostrae
At the hour of our death

In hora mortis mortis nostrae
At the hour of our death

Ave maria
Hail Mary

Maria gratia plena
Mary full of grace

Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Blessed are you among women

Ave maria
Hail Mary

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Transition333

5y↑67

I WATCH THIS OVER AND OVER! This video is enjoyable not only to watch the amazing performances of the musicians and conductor but to listen to such a beautiful piece of music. Thank you so very much.

@laurencejames8108

i echo you

@sdalby9127

2y↑1

Same

@laetitiathomas74

Oh how I understand you. It's because of Debussy. One of my favorite composers. It's simple, light, soft, infinitely beautiful, hard to describe because it seems magical. Maybe pure...

@runnymedeworks6326

33w↑3

That wide shot at around 5:23 when you can see the orchestra all moving in time was wonderful. This composition always makes me feel like everything's going to be ok.

@jeffrey4466

2y↑23

4:15 to 6:15 is the most beautiful 2 minutes of music I think I have ever heard and ever will hear. This music truly moves me and so strongly expresses many complex feelings, and while I might struggle to describe them in words, my soul has no difficulty understanding.

@jean-pierregagne8278

To me ,It sounds like pure love !

@paulkevinkoehler9490

1y↑1

Completely agree--this gives me goosebumps every time.

@Transition333

1y↑2

This feels like an ascension into Heaven. The conductor has exquisite, absolute control of the orchestra; you can see it, and hear it.

@sofiennehathout1046

1y↑8

It's surprising to see how amazing and fascinating this piece remains; 130 years later

@jamesburton9350

6y↑34

Orchestral design down to smallest detail observed by the LSO, keeping Claude's desire that it should sound as though it had not been written down. Two tiny mini cymbals, two - then one, harps, solo flute and oboe - world class - no nerves. Bravo!

@simonsadler9360

The fantastic Cor Inglese !

@MiaFeigelsonGallery

3y↑8

Thanks for posting this wonderful performance of one of the most sublime pieces of music ever written. Maurice Ravel went so far as to say in an interview that it was his innermost wish to die to the sounds of this 'unique marvel in the whole of music'.

@shin-i-chikozima

3y↑9

The comfort and wonderfulness of Debussy‘s music are out of this world, and irreplaceable

This masterpiece digs up old memories , and I shed tears

From
Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

@bassoonplatoon3146

2y↑1

This piece is beautiful! いつか、東京に行きたいよ！

@shin-i-chikozima

@@bassoonplatoon3146
Thankyou
Tokyo waits for you forever
I hope you are well

@cliffhughes6010

5y↑22

This is wonderful - a great recording of a truly great performance. And a respectful silence from the audience before the applause begins. It's my favourite version on YouTube.

@Kingayethe1

2y↑3

It's Like a marriage of colors being mixed together elegantly and soundly, like the harps are so beautiful along with the mixer of the violin and baritones being with rest of the instruments. Truly a work of art.

@clickhand

5y↑15

what it sounds like when human consciousness is transcended with orchestral music. thank you Debussy and LSO. life is patiently waiting.

@joaocarlosavila9086

4y↑25

I woke up in the middle of the night dreaming of this piece.

@jimr4319

3y↑6

Funny you should write that. Hearing this piece to me was like getting lost in the most beautiful dream...one of which I didn't want to wake up from.

@catherineanne1097

10w

What a fabulous comment 😄

@simonsadler9360

Same here !

@giuseppemariaperego8937

49w↑2

Fantastico!!! Grande interpretazione ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉Giuseppe Perego Monza 16.2.1962 Grazie

@giuseppemariaperego8937

49w↑2

Questa musica 🎶 strapperebbe un sorriso 😅 a chiunque ❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Giuseppe Perego Monza 16.2.1962 Grazie

@Transition333

2y↑7

It’s time to come back again and listen to this most beautiful piece brought out so magnificently by FXR. I’ve never heard a more beautifully performed version. I listen to this with earphones and transcend to another place; an unbelievable experience!

@gavinwilshaw2312

1y↑1

I love the way the conductor extends the magical mood in total silence at the end. Wonderful!

@DrSamLopez

27w↑2

To fans of orchestral movie music, the influence of this lovely and poetic masterpiece on passages of John William's exquisite scores (think of "Encounters" and "E.T.") will be easy to appreciate.

@anamariaytomas

3y↑3

This is the best version I have ever heard of this magic piece of music. I adore Debussy!!!!!

@kimmr100

37w↑1

Pure magic - thank you for posting

@theMad_Artist

5y↑5

One of the most sublime musical performances I've ever heard. Thank you so much for this LSO

@Luckysevenization

2y↑2

¡Bravo!. ¡Magnífico!... La flauta maestra, el oboe, el clarinete, las cuerdas, el propio Maestro François-Xavier. Una sublime interpretación... al mismo nivel que el Maestro Jorge Solti y la Orquesta de Chicago en 1974.

@jairojura1082

7y↑8

Thank you for the wonderful fusion of the tactful peaceful sounds! I love it!!!

@Feltchy

49w↑1

I cried listening to this

@CountryLane-kj3fk

I return time and time again... this is where I find my inner peace!.... Thank you for sharing!

@melomel385

10w

So it's the battle of the Flute vs. the Clarinet vs. the Oboe, I love it!

@amyzh3888

4y↑4

By Claude Debussy, one of the best composers

@giuseppemariaperego8937

49w↑2

Debussy ha aperto la via al '900 ❤❤❤Giuseppe

@barbarahaskell2596

This is the most beautiful renditions of this piece that I've loved and loved for years and years! Thank you so much...

@aleksandarjankovski6542

6y↑3

Stunning. Superb woodwind playing.

@rebecca2659

2y↑1

The first flute played the beginning note perfectly!

@patriciamccaw5332

5y↑8

Can’t add much more to previous comment, sublime indeed, and share Ravels wish. Patricia

@yesyesyes310

2y↑2

A fine performance indeed!🤩🤩🤩

@mikemidulster

6y↑5

A wonderful performance

@homeofcreation

1y↑1

That lovely tri-tone.

@clarachapel5765

50w

For this reason i love Debussy❤

@alexanthony62

Breathtakingly beautiful… like a beautiful dream.

@enton4079

40w↑1

Magnifico

@DavidTaubner

Wow! What an exceptional performance. I really love it!

@Transition333

5y↑2

Heavenly with earbuds!

@josemanuel-sk2bg

50w

Maravillosa obra que me encoge el alma de ese compositor Debussy.

@robertleroy2535

6y↑10

Un fleuron de la musique française du 19ème siècle ! Un compositeur génial.

@cesarlorenzetti2133

Obra genial. Gran interpretación. Bravo.

@ThatPoyglot

Beautiful!

@PianoThad

7y↑13

Awesome ! It's just like peacefulness translated into music. Thanks for sharing this with the world. It's like a Beacon of light amidst the darkness of mankind. :) I am slightly drunk, but I love you London Symphony Orchestra. A very big and warm hug from the pitch of black darkness that is Brazil nowadays.

@flgoddess7623

Stunning

@joao-geraldodamasceno1581

Formidable!

@yn-yj7bn

flawless

@sailingsam3815

3y↑1

Excellent unity

@RankoTomic

1y↑2

This composition is the thing closest to magic.

@JohnWesleyBarker

7y↑27

Gareth Davies, principal flute and huge lungs!

@MiaFeigelsonGallery

6y↑5

Agree, John ! from 1:21 to 1:40 Garteth Davies simply played away, he didn't stop to breathe thus making the whole phrase sound absolutely dreamy

@007KayElleKay

6y↑6

As a fellow flautist , I applaud Gareth Davies' wonderfully lyrical interpretation of one of the most beautiful pieces evert written for flute - or indeed for anything .

@amydunne575

6y↑5

Yes! I 100% agree with you on that one. I've been friends with him on Facebook since March 2018!!

@MiaFeigelsonGallery

6y↑2

Absolutely... it's one of the most difficult pieces for the flute, not so much from a technical point of view: musicality is what really counts and Gareth Davies plays from his soul....

@belmon38

5y↑12

A little fast for my taste, but greatly performed. The best music from our civilization.

@simonrivardconductor

4y↑8

JO B Debussy’s metronome markings are even faster... I think we need to adjust our taste to Debussy’s, not the opposite, no?

@jingren

@@simonrivardconductor agreed. I've listened to many versions, some even approaching 12 minutes (which to me is starting to not do the piece justice already), however, I just came across an 8:55 version earlier on and I thought that's too fast either 😂

@eugenioresende7861

Unique!

@lucianoiovino304

Great principal flute!!!!!!

@claudiamichelini8108

Musica soave e magica

@zhiangJiang-dq6xn

15w↑1

太棒了👍👍👍

@MrCgjusten

7y↑6

I did not know that Anthony Hopkins was regent ... :)... Very nice! Thank you!

@Tshiknn

5y↑4

i'm listening to this on my akg k400 headphones

@theMad_Artist

6y↑30

2:31 he looks like an angry Debussy lol

@ferociousgumby

4y↑7

I just have to unload something here. I just watched a dreadful BBC music special about the Romantics, with some dreadful English lady with two curtains of hair and big teeth, narrating with a constant, fatuous smile on her face. She began to talk about de-BEWW-sea, and when introducing this piece said, "This marvellous orchestral feast portrays the wonder and awe of a young deer as he slowly walks through a forest glen." A young deer. A fawn. BAMBI! The BBC thinks a "faun" is Bambi, not some langourous half-drunk satyr wallowing around with stray goddesses. Even Wikipedia gets it right: "The goat man, more commonly affiliated with the Satyrs of Greek mythology or Fauns of Roman, is a bipedal creature with the legs and tail of a goat and the head, arms and torso of a man and is often depicted with goat's horns and pointed ears. These creatures in turn borrowed their appearance from the god Pan of the Greek pantheon. They were a symbol of fertility, and their chieftain was Silenus, a minor deity of Greek mythology." The huge stir this piece caused when it debuted in Paris had little to do with the sensuality of the music, and everything to do with WHAT it portrayed: a lustful pagan goat-man in full rut. But oh, no, the good experts at the BBC, ALL of them, for surely the text must have been vetted by all of them, think that Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un Faune is about A BABY DEER, a FAWN, Bambi! I don't know why I expected better from a British "music expert". But shit, I knew what a "faun" was when I was eight and my parents dragged me off to classical concerts.

@007KayElleKay

4y↑2

ferociousgumby - made me laugh ! No idea who curtain head woman is though !

@olivierdrouin2701

Funny ! Thanks you .

@Transition333

5y↑5

Why on earth does the title mention the viola player when the brass and woodwinds, most especially the flautist, is the main performer in this piece?

@LondonSymphonyOrchestra

5y↑7

It was part of a concert which also included Bartók Viola Concerto. Each piece on the programme was one file. We had the whole concert in a playlist up for 90 days, then when that passed left this file for everyone to enjoy.

@Transition333

@@LondonSymphonyOrchestra Thank you for the explanation. It’s very beautiful as I’ve posted several times. 🥰

@oleczkin

4y↑1

pozdrawiam cieplutko!

@sherreith8799

4y↑1

Everyone in LIVP RISE!!

@sophmehra

Well this failed 😂😅

@joao-geraldodamasceno1581

Divin...

@tobybower6472

37w↑1

Debussy was of God.

@josephine334

3y↑2

is anyone else here for RCM music history?

@patlopez6719

36w↑1

This song played in the movie.."The Portrait of Jennie."

@estherhh7076

4y↑3

SI VIENES DE LOS DEBERES DE DAVID NO TE MOLESTES EN MIRAR LOS COMENTARIOS NO HAY NADA://

@mirandac8712

3y↑1

Roth is the heir to Kleiber and Boulez

@yleetv

34w↑1

5:08

@jarroddobben

3y↑3

The guy next to the flautist looks like one of my friends from high school. Probably isn't tho.

@josianesouchon1646

3y↑1

Mat be not ?

@makyhsmakyhs6766

3y↑1

I have the same feeling l would try to contact the orchestra information department !

@adamz0037

You’re insane

@0miyage

2:00

@Nikhil-P-R

Look at 1:30.!

@beng7716

What’s up with the title

@LondonSymphonyOrchestra

6y↑5

Hmm yes, YouTube seems to have taken all the special accents added with HTML and munged them up in the last few days. How flippin annoying!

@beng7716

6y↑2

London Symphony Orchestra Ah well it's gone now so that's good

@LondonSymphonyOrchestra

6y↑3

Yes we've been through and put the characters back in again. There may be others further down the channel that this has also happened to, in case you spot them! :)

@user-zp7rj2ts9k

0:09

@xYonowaaru

37w

No, it starts when you press play. The absolute silence in the beginning is essential for this piece.
Some conductors might not even start, if they hear a single sound from the audience.

@mariabathory194

Brian de Palma movie anyone? 😁😬

@olivierdrouin2701

Yes , Passion ,so what ?

@simonsadler9360

Makes Elvis look like a steet cleaner , in my place in Gaianes Spain 🇪🇸 need to put together my sound system a free Sony 100w per channel Amp & 2 10 inch Tannoys , have made a shelf for a turntable , lots of 12 " L.P. , found in a box in the village 24 Charlie Chaplin V.H.S ,Sunday mornings while having a hot bath always the Bizet suite ,very clever composers , no keyboards or synthetic stuff , would gladly pay a lot to see the Polish people youth orchestra in Spain , we have a theatre in nearby Cocentaina , need their itinerary. MY friend Toni Rullo has an 11 year old daughter rare name of Besabe a self taught pianist ,Toni says you name it she plays it , gave her my Spare Yamaha keyboard & am a lefthander will string up my genuine Russian Balalaika cost just €20 .My late dad a good guitarist 🎸

@denisflament8586

D un FAUVE et pas d 1 Faune

@olivierdrouin2701

Si.
Créature mythologique grecque , je crois , mi homme mi animal , danger pour la virginité des femmes.

@idkuhsomthing2776

shdhhd I was playing merry go round of life and lost boy on my live stream last night and got a copyright thing for this song 😭

@juanch6936

4y↑1

Commercials mid song? What the fuck?

@stevebarber7765

Is that Anthony Hopkins conducting?😅

@vipermad358

2y↑1

I just came here because I heard that this music would turn me into a degenerate.🤔

@augustoariascomposer

5y↑3

extremelly fast...

@007KayElleKay

4y↑2

Au Arias - not according to Debussy it isn’t !

@rogeriofabi

3y↑3

@@007KayElleKay Is the sound of Heaven! Bravo, Debussy! Bravo, Roth!

@hollyweird8

The beauty of the music was damaged by the conductor. He was too much in a hurry. He didn't allow the music to breathe.

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